Hua Rui continued, "This matter is not over yet. Princess Lijia has entered the palace, but she has not yet broken off her engagement with General Lin. People outside the palace are saying that this princess has a noble status but cannot keep a husband. They also say that General Lin and his cousin are in love and were husband and wife in their past life. They should be a couple in this life too!"
Having lived half her life, Granny Wang knew everything. She keenly sensed that something was amiss and turned to Rouyin, saying, "Madam, the matter of General Lin is causing quite a stir among the people. Perhaps something is not right."
Rouyin said rationally, "No matter what, this fire won't affect us. Since General Lin dared to do such a thing, he has to swallow whatever comes his way, whether it's bitter or sweet. It's just a pity that Princess Lijia has attracted some scoundrels because of this marriage."
When Yinzhen finished his official duties in the evening and returned home, he was met with his young wife waiting anxiously at the door, her beautiful face filled with coldness.
Yinzhen hesitated, stopping his steps as he was about to step over the threshold. He stood frozen in place, his mind racing, trying to recall if he had done anything recently that might have offended his wife. After a moment's thought, he tentatively asked, "Why didn't you play mahjong today? Did the two children upset you?"
Rouyin sighed helplessly, "Sir, the two children are still young, how could they have offended me? We can't play mahjong all the time!"
Seeing this, Yinzhen realized it wasn't his fault, so he relaxed and naturally helped his wife sit down as he stepped over the threshold. "Why is Yin'er unhappy?"
Rouyin said somewhat angrily, "Have you heard about General Lin's elopement?" As she spoke, Rouyin secretly observed his eyes.
Yinzhen waved his hand, signaling the servants to leave. After thinking for a moment, he said, "So that's what it is. The matter of General Lin's mansion involves many things. General Lin is backed by the Crown Prince. The fact that he made such a big fuss is indeed due to someone else's scheme. But General Lin has indeed disregarded imperial authority and committed a serious crime. This young General Lin who ran away from his marriage will definitely be severely punished by Father Emperor."
Rouyin asked curiously, "What about the marriage between Princess Lijia and General Lin..."
“It’s impossible to make a fuss about it now. Li Jia did suffer some undeserved misfortune, and Uncle Changning (Prince Gong) will definitely not let it go.” Yinzhen held Rouyin’s hand and explained the calculations in detail.
Rouyin guessed that several princes were plotting to cripple the Crown Prince.
Just as Rouyin had thought, at this moment, in the First Prince's residence, Yinzhi was venting his pride, "Yinreng just relies on his position as Crown Prince, looking down on this and that all day long. Let's see how he cuts off his own arm!"
Mingzhu looked at the arrogant and conceited eldest prince with a sense of helplessness. Although the eldest prince was incredibly brave in battle and a brilliant strategist, he was completely defenseless against intrigue and treachery. Although he had successfully defeated the crown prince this time, the crown prince would surely retaliate later. Mingzhu thought for a moment and couldn't help but shake her head inwardly.
Meanwhile, in General Lin's mansion, the lights were on. Lin Chenghe, who had originally planned to head to the frontier to serve his father and brother Commander Wang, had already left the capital with his cousin He Xiulan. However, he received a secret letter from his father in the middle of the night, and the two of them rushed back overnight.
Lin Chenghe and He Xiulan, who had just returned to the courtyard and were still covered in dust from their journey, were scolded, "You unfilial son, kneel down!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Cheng knelt down without a word. He Xiulan, who had already mustered most of her courage to elope, stood dumbfounded to the side, completely stunned by these setbacks.
Lin Zhengwei stepped forward and slapped him hard across the face, drawing blood from Lin Chenghe's lip. His wife, Lady Suochuoluo, who had been closely monitoring Lin Zhengwei's actions, rushed over upon hearing her confidant's report that her son had returned.
The first thing he saw was his son, who had just been beaten. He rushed forward to protect his son, crying out, "Grandpa, He'er is your own son! How could you be so cruel?!"
Lin Zhengwei looked at his wife, who still only knew how to protect others, and felt his head throb even more with anger. "Do you even know what your good son has done! Running away from the princess is a capital offense! Why did you have to kill the whole family?" After saying that, Lin Zhengwei couldn't help but kick Lin Chenghe again. Suochuoluo immediately grabbed his leg and said resentfully, "Isn't it all because you insisted on bringing home the orphan of your fallen brother? This little vixen has caused He'er to get into trouble." As she spoke, Suochuoluo glared venomously at He Xiulan, who was standing dumbfounded beside her.
Looking at his wife, who still didn't think her son was wrong, Lin Zhengwei was filled with regret. He shouldn't have married such a foolish woman just to have a powerful family. Her brain was full of straw, devoid of any intelligence, and her son was a complete idiot. In an instant, his back hunched over. "Tomorrow, Lin Cheng and I will go to the palace to apologize. Whatever punishment His Majesty imposes, you will have to accept it."
Hearing this, Suochuoluo, holding her injured son, burst into tears and wailed, "My poor son! It's all that vixen's fault! This is your only legitimate son! You must save him!" This time, Suochuoluo's cries lasted all night.
The next day, an imperial decree arrived from the palace, stating that Consort De wished to see her two grandsons.
Rouyin started washing up early. "Liu Qing, bring me that mint-colored lotus-patterned robe."
"Wouldn't the Princess Consort wear something brighter? This is a bit too plain," Liu Qing asked, puzzled.
“We’re going to pay our respects to Consort De. Dressing too brightly in the palace will easily attract attention. Besides, I’m already conspicuous enough, so I can’t dress any more excessively.” Rouyin straightened her collar and looked at herself in the dressing mirror. Her hair was styled in two small buns, and her black hair and red lips made her look too energetic. She took some white face powder and applied it to her lips. The mirror reflected a sickly beauty with a slightly weak complexion.
Rouyin turned her face with satisfaction and touched her belly, which hadn't shown after two months. Thanks to the system's help, she knew she was already carrying four children. She was worried that Yinzhen would give up the pregnancy since she had just finished her postpartum confinement. Although she knew her body was stronger than an ox, Yinzhen didn't know that, so she planned to reveal it after three months. Fortunately, it was still early in the pregnancy, so she could go out of the mansion and move around a bit.
Yinzhen, holding Yilejia in his left arm and Honghui in his right, was already waiting by the carriage. Rouyin quickened her pace when she saw him from afar. "Your Highness, why are you holding the wet nurse by yourself?" She reached out and took the little dumpling Yilejia, who was waving her tiny hands, into her arms. She glared at Yinzhen with a hint of anger, and Yinzhen looked away guiltily.
"I'm very strong! I definitely won't let the two children fall!" Yinzhen coaxed Honghui and Yilejia for a while before letting the wet nurse take them away.
"Master..." Rouyin called out to Yinzhen a few more times helplessly. Yinzhen looked at his little wife who had turned her head away and was sulking. He gently coaxed her for a long time until Rouyin smiled at him again and he breathed a sigh of relief.
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